Vincent's flying start

New Zealand 293-7 v Australia

Centuries by the debutant Lou Vincent and the captain, Stephen Fleming, helped New Zealand to 293 for 7 by the close of play on the first day of the third Test against Australia.

New Zealand suffered early setbacks when Jason Gillespie bowled Mark Richardson for nine and Glenn McGrath had Mathew Sinclair trapped lbw for two, but the tourists replied in style. Vincent, the 23-year-old right-hander, hit an almost flawless 104. Fleming, without a century in 28 Tests, turned in a superb 105. The pair made the most of McGrath's withdrawal from the attack because of back spasms and both were unfortunate to lose their wickets.

Vincent was the first to go, with the pair one short of the 200 partnership. He was caught at slip by Mark Waugh off Shane Warne, although there was some doubt as to whether he had hit the ball. Fleming was tiring and limping from a blow to the knee when he was trapped lbw by Brett Lee. The breakthrough lifted Australian spirits and they picked up a further three wickets cheaply before the close.

First day; New Zealand won toss

NEW ZEALAND – First Innings

M H Richardson b Gillespie 9

L Vincent c M E Waugh b Warne 104

M S Sinclair lbw b McGrath 2

*S P Fleming lbw b Lee 105

N J Astle not out 28

C D McMillan lbw b Gillespie 4

D L Vettori c Martyn b Gillespie 2

C L Cairns c Gilchrist b Lee 8

ÝA C Parore not out 5

Extras (lb13 w1 nb12) 26

Total (for 7, 90 overs) 293

Fall: 1-12 2-19 3-218 4-264 5-269 6-272 7-281.

To bat: C S Martin, S E Bond.

Bowling: McGrath 13-6-25-1; Gillespie 24-3-79-3 (w1); Lee 18-3-89-2 (nb2); Warne 25-6-66-1; Martyn 3-0-11-0; M E Waugh 3-0-9-0; Ponting 4-3-1-0.

AUSTRALIA: M L Hayden, J L Langer, R T Ponting, M E Waugh, *S R Waugh, D R Martyn, ÝA C Gilchrist, S K Warne, B Lee, J N Gillespie, G D McGrath.

Umpires: D B Hair and I D Robinson (Zim).